Applying for your United State of America Passport is a big step in someone's life. With the passport, a man or a woman can visit places outside of the country and be able to safely return home. Prepare all the documents that you will need to apply for book or even the card.

Smooth Process

Before starting the application process, it is important that individuals have all of their necessary documents prepared. Having all documentation in order will help speed the process up. By keeping orderly documents, the bureau will experience little or no errors in processing. This process is a little different if you're trying to renew passports.

Citizenship

When someone goes to the office to complete their application, they will be required to show proof of their citizenship within the United States of America. A certified birth certificate, a naturalization certificate, or a passport that has been issued previously are all acceptable forms of proof of citizenship in the United States of America. These types of evidence are called primary evidence. If primary evidence cannot be provided to the office, then one is allowed to use secondary evidence to prove that they are legitimate United States citizens.

Evidence

If primary evidence cannot be obtained, an applicant is welcome to provide secondary evidence of citizenship in the United States. The secondary evidence is made up of five separate categories. The categories are delayed birth certificates, early public records, letter or no record, birth affidavit, or a foreign birth document.

Forms

The application form for a U. S. Passport is called "Form DS-11." This form can be completed by hand and brought into the appropriate distribution office or it can be filled out online. This form requires personal information be provided, like name, address, and personal description. Other information is required as well.

Completed Forms

Once the form DS-11, the application form, has been completed, it must be returned to the agency. Bring the proper identification with you when applying in person. The acceptable forms of identification are a state identification card or a valid driver's license, a previously issued passport that has not suffered from any damage, a current military or governmental identification car, or a certificate of naturalization.

Fees

It is important to include all of the fees that you will need to pay with your application in order to prevent any delays in processing times. Beginning in 2011, an adult book with card costs one hundred sixty dollars. The hundred sixty dollars is created by combining the application fee of one hundred forty dollars with the execution fee that is twenty-five dollars.

Photos

Providing an efficient photo that meets all standard requirements is necessary to complete the application. The agency requires that the photo is printed in color on photo quality paper. The size of the applicant's face in the photo should be at least an inch in size so that the person is easily identifiable. The entire photo should be two inches on each side so that it will fit in the book.

Getting a USA Passport will enable you to travel in and out of the country. You will be able to open your mind to new cultures. Traveling requires a passport so don’t delay this process. This process is a little different if you're trying to renew pasport.